WAILUA — Volunteers and community service workers make a difference by working in conjunction with the county or by filling in the gaps left by county workers. Adopt-A-Park, started in 2005, operates under the county Parks and Recreation department and
WAILUA — Volunteers and community service workers make a difference by working in conjunction with the county or by filling in the gaps left by county workers.
Adopt-A-Park, started in 2005, operates under the county Parks and Recreation department and its coordinator Eddie Sarita. Groups adopt a park for a period of one-year or longer and are trained in the areas they choose to work.
“The program seeks to have all 64 of the county’s parks adopted, not counting the two stadiums and two undeveloped park parcels,” Sarita said. “Currently 32 of the parks have sponsors.”
Eloha Foundation has been a sponsor group since 2006. Members work with volunteers and community service workers from the county.
The foundation has adopted Waikomo Park, Po‘ipu Beach Park and Ha‘ena Beach Park, and recently assisted with graffiti removal at ‘Anini Beach Park.
“We all work together,” said Janee Marie Taylor, executive director. “This is a more holistic approach to rehabilitation or restitution. We are on the merit system with respect and honor for the principles of giving back.”
Taylor said the volunteers develop responsibility, management skills and take pride in what they do. They aren’t afraid to spend all day getting dirty picking up trash, raking, scraping and painting.
Anna Mercer of Kalaheo spent the better part of a recent Monday painting 17 picnic tables at Po‘ipu Beach Park as an Eloha Foundation worker. She and about six other volunteers and community service workers paint and pick up litter at least once a week.
“It’s my way to do something and to give back to the ‘aina,” Mercer said.
Since moving to Kaua‘i two years ago, Mercer frequents Po‘ipu Beach Park, she said. She fills a trash bag or two in one quick sweep of the area — and said there is always more to do. The county is responsible for beach parks, but beach cleanups are under the state’s jurisdiction.
Curtis Bupp II, 52, of Koloa, who is part of the Po‘ipu Beach Park crew, said this park is among the most beautiful in the country.
“My son learned to surf here and he is still surfing at this beach at age 24,” said Bupp. “I have been coming here for a long time.”
Bupp said guests could do a few small things to help keep it in good condition. He is referring to cigarette butts and bottle caps that saturate the sand and grass especially around the picnic tables.
Smokers throwing butts on the ground, and beer, pop and water drinkers tossing bottles and caps on the ground make up most of the litter, he said. If park patrons just make that one effort they said it would save hours of clean-up time.
The less time spent picking up litter would allow sponsors to focus on other problem areas. There is graffiti to be removed, basketball and tennis courts or pathways to be swept and cleaned, weeds to be pulled, leaves to be raked, flowers to be planted, minor landscaping work to be done and painting.
“The Cost Control Commission has recognized the value of the work and contributions made by the volunteers and sponsors,” Sarita said. “The sponsors perform a very valuable contribution by being the extra set of eyes for the county and reporting vandalism or repairs that are needed so that the parks can be clean and presentable for residents as well as visitors.”
The county provides supplies such as paint, painting supplies and trash bags for sponsors. County workers handle the heavy maintenance such as grass cutting, plumbing, electrical and equipment repairs.
Sarita said that skilled volunteers are discouraged from performing these tasks because of safety and union regulations.
The sponsoring group must know the area of responsibility and the what they can do or when to report it to someone else. “Walk your property, know your property,” Taylor said.
Volunteers receive an official certificate of adoption and an adoption sign posted at their site after 60 hours of service.
“This is such a wonderful way to give back and feel a sense of pride of belonging to the park and to the community,” Taylor said.
Keeping long-term sponsors and finding new volunteers is an ongoing challenge. Volunteers are accustomed to one-time events and the long-term commitment requirement is a factor, Sarita said.
“We could use more sponsors in the Waimea District as well as in the Hanalei District, and I encourage anyone that’s interested in the program to give me a call,” he added.
The process for adopting a park starts with a person or organization contacting Sarita at 241-6623. He can provide a program description, registration and reporting forms.
